The Sachin and Adam Show Inside AirTree’s $650M Fund: The Future of Aussie Startups & AI
Aug 6, 2025
Join John Henderson and Jackie Vullinghs from AirTree as they unveil their groundbreaking $650 million fund aimed at propelling Australian and Kiwi startups into the global arena. They discuss the surge of international interest in Oz’s tech scene, highlighting the emergence of AI-native companies and what founders need to succeed today. The duo shares insights on the shift to faster, conviction-led investing, the critical traits they seek in startups, and the evolving venture capital landscape, making it essential listening for aspiring entrepreneurs.
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Global LPs Put Australia On The Map
- International institutional LPs now back AirTree, shifting the firm's investor mix from >90% local to majority offshore.
- That global endorsement puts Australia on the map and unlocks larger capital pools for founders.
Ecosystem Growth Explains 'Why Now'
- Australia went from a handful of venture-scale companies to hundreds, changing LPs' risk calculations.
- That rapid ecosystem growth explains why global capital is arriving now, not earlier.
Give Founders Meaningful Early Capital
- Size early-stage funds to provide meaningful first checks and follow-ons so founders can compete globally.
- Give founders world-class capital amounts (e.g., first checks ~2–10M) rather than token pre-seed cheques.